“The Last Match”

Highly Recommended ***** A little over a year ago, or should I say, “pre-Covid”, our theater scene was terrific. Every theater, large and small was doing well and I was in heaven. Then, Covid hit and with the pandemic, closings of every theater ( as well as restaurants and other entertainment venues). Back then. Writers Theatre was just about ready to open “The Last Match” , Anna Ziegler’s look at the game of tennis, but as more than just a game. Her play is about a young Russian tennis player going up against the American superstar.

Each player has their own realities that motivate, stimulate and perhaps created their personality to be who they are. During this 100 minutes of drama, staged to perfection by Keira Fromm with special choreography by Steph Paul, we become onlookers into the lives of the two men and their women, learning about their private lives, their public lives and how they came to be who and where they are.

This is a gripping tale that takes place on what appears to be a large table tennis sans net, rather than an actual tennis court. On the wall there is a scoreboard where as the “match” goes on, we get to see the scores as they apply to the matches. note: this is a series of events, not just one match where the two are facing each other to see who is the true champion.

FYI- This is a streamed production, so we do get far more intimate with the cast members than we would even on the small stage at Writers. This play works quite well on tape and the direction/choreography shows how those involved have learned how to take advantage of the situation that the pandemic placed us in. Terrific work.

The cast of players are as follows: Tim ( Ryan Hallahan, who appears to be quite athletic) and his spouse , Mallory ( the charming Kayla Carter) for the United States. From Russia, Sergei ( a powerful Christopher Sheard) and his “girlfriend/wife Galina (Heather Chrisler). These players  ( with the exception of Ryan Hallahan ) were  the original cast, but in watching them handle the roles, I must say, they are perfect  “match” in every way.

This is a sharp, fast and dynamic performance where the 90 minutes will fly by. The movement on the “table,(as I will call it) keeps the action flowing with rapid fire and when the final scenes take place, you will feel that what is happening between these men and their women is an actual game with rackets flying and balls bouncing ( although there are no rackets or balls involved). The chemistry between the cast members is powerful and the director and choreographer have made this script truly come “alive” ( although we know that this was in fact filmed, I never thought about that once I got into the story).

I will certainly not give out any of the little secrets in this production but feel I can tell you that you will be spellbound by the writing, the direction, the acting and will feel that you now have a better understanding of the competitiveness of athletes representing their country over another.

“The Last Match” will be available thru May 30th for streaming.

For information and to purchase your ticket to view, visit www.writerstheatre.org or call 847-242-6000

There is a special audio described performance at $40

Other prices range from $40

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Last Match”

If you are a tennis player, you will love this production!